He'd better not back down on that, because this is exactly the sort of response Erik was hoping for; it's just as much a probe for personal reassurance as it is an impromptu test of mettle. Few things could be worse for Erik in this place than to feel alone in his point of view.

Seconds pass, during which he says nothing, but remains just where he is, tall and solid and for now only looking. The hard angles of his face and the pale steel blue of his eyes. Their minute flicks of observation.

Presently, Erik's weight settles on his heels—a subtle, but important change—and he asks, "How did you want to begin?"